It all starts when Mick Shannon Irish Mick loses to a knockout punch. His manager had bet heavy, and now Mick owes the mob, and more specifically, Moishe Abrams, who runs the jukes and collections in Detroit's 8 Mile. Moishe is part of the Old Guard, and not to be trifled with. But first time out, Moise takes a blade for Mick when Mojo Johnson doesn't want to pay up. Now Mojo's dead and there's a body to get rid of and an aging gangster who needs some serious medical attention. That's when Brownie steps in to help, and so begins Mick's career with the jukes. With Moishe on the mend, Mick handles all his collections. But he also finds himself handling Mojo's old studio ... and Mojo's niece, Martika, who runs the place. Mick is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel maybe some money can be made here. Trouble is, the mob boss's son, Albert Duca, also wants a piece of the action. With Brownie running interference and Moishe giving his unofficial blessing, Mick's troubles only multiply when he decides to buy a club for the studio acts to play in. Because now Albert definitely wants in and this time he has no intention of taking no for an answer.